EP2690720B1 - Cable connector with quick assembly - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the connection devices, and in particular the cable connection devices comprising a two-part connector. The two parts come together on either side of a support wall, which is crossed by one or more bundles of cables.

Such connectors conventionally serve to provide the connection of electrical cables, but could be used to connect other types of cables, such as optical cables.

By cables is meant in the following text, any element for transmitting energy, signal, fluid, for example an electric cable, an optical cable, or a hydraulic line.

The two-part connectors may for example be used to connect a wiring harness between the inside and the outside of a device delimited by the support wall.

They can in particular be used in transport vehicles, for example in aircraft, to provide power and data exchange of embedded electrical or electronic elements.

Connectors of this type generally comprise two paired connector parts, which are fixed to one another through an orifice of the support wall, trapping between them a portion of the support wall.

Locking means are provided to hold the two connector parts together, and complementary locking means may be provided to maintain a first assembled connector portion against the support wall independently of the second connector portion. . Such a connector is for example described in the patent application EP 0 416 769 .

The locking means may for example comprise threaded metal screws that are tedious to put in place, or may include rapid assembly means such as quarter-turn screws, as described for example in the patent application FR 2887 079 .

In the particular case of electrical connection cables, a first connector part comprises plugs connected to a first group of cable bundles, which must be inserted in corresponding housings of a central block of the second part of the connector, each housing conductor being connected to a cable of a second cable bundle.

Depending on the number of plugs to be inserted, the frictional forces when interlocking a connector portion in the other connector portion may be important. Therefore, in order to be able to exert the necessary insertion force, it is necessary to have a first connector part firmly fixed on a sufficiently rigid wall, or to have access to both sides of the wall, which is rarely the case.

US 5,876,226 discloses a connection assembly according to the preamble of claim 1.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a two-part connector, a base portion of which can be quickly fixed or disassembled from a support wall without using a specific tool, and a plug portion of which can be secured to the base part also quickly and without using any specific tool. The invention also aims to provide a two-part connector that can be assembled without exerting pressure on the base portion, which pressure could deform the support wall, or even drop the base portion of the support wall.

To this end, there is provided a connection assembly for the connection of cables, comprising a first connection subassembly comprising a first connection shell able to surround the end of at least one first cable bundle - end oriented in a direction. said direction of docking-, and comprising a second connection subassembly comprising a second connecting shell adapted to surround the end of at least a second cable bundle. The second shell is able to bear on the first shell - and vice versa - so as to face the first and the second bundle of cables. The second shell is adapted to be assembled in an orifice of a support plate independently of the first hull. The first shell comprises guiding means with respect to the second shell, allowing it to be approached in a direction of docking, also called axial direction, until it comes to bear on the second hull by facing the first and the second bundle of cables. Equivalently, the second shell comprises guide means relative to the first shell. The first and second subassemblies of connection respectively comprise at least a first and a second locking element complementary to each other, and comprise guide means capable of guiding each other with respect to each other. locking elements to move them from an unlocked position to a locked position of the connection assembly. The connection assembly, and preferably the first subassembly of connection, comprises a ramp device, at least one element of which is movable in a direction of locking substantially perpendicular to the direction of docking, and is capable of transmitting when such a movement a locking force to bring the two shells in the axial direction, until their axial distance corresponds to the locked position of the connection assembly. By locked position of the connection assembly is meant a position where the two connecting shells are secured by the locking means. By axial direction is meant throughout the text a direction parallel to the direction of docking. By movement in the direction of locking is meant a movement in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of docking, with respect to at least one of the hulls. Preferably, the ramp device comprises a slider able to slide relative to the second shell immobilized in a support plate, and with respect to the first shell, in a locking direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of docking. Advantageously, the slide may comprise a guide portion, which at the time of the locking operation slides axially on a shoulder of the first shell facing outwardly of the first shell. The drawer may further comprise a hooking portion axially passing through the first shell, and carrying a sliding bearing surface belonging to a guide member belonging to the drawer, which is supported, when sliding the slide to the locked position, a guide member belonging to the second shell. The sliding bearing surface and the guide portion are located axially on each side of the shoulder relative to each other. In this configuration, axial tension is applied during the locking operation, the attachment portion located axially between the shoulder and the sliding bearing surface. Because of this configuration, it is possible to have a larger spool guiding shoulder surface than if the guiding surface was inside the shell: when the shoulder is outside the shell, it is It is not necessary to increase the total volume of the shell to widen the shoulder. In addition, the guiding portion, which is the one that the operator manipulates during the locking operation, can be placed at a distance from the second shell and the support plate, which facilitates the setting of the drawer by hand. The guide portion, being outside the shell, may have a closed ring or closed quadrilateral section instead of an open section, for example instead of an open form fork type. The guide portion then has better rigidity during sliding movements in the plane of the quadrilateral to lock and unlock the connection assembly. In addition, the attachment portion, essentially stressed in tension in the axial direction, is less prone to the risk of buckling than are the fingers of a fork inserted in the shell parallel to the support plate, as sometimes proposed in certain connectors. known. Advantageously, at least one of the locking elements is integrated with the ramp element.

According to a preferred embodiment, the ramp element comprises a spool axially connected to the first shell and is slidable along the first shell in the locking direction, one of the elements of the spool or the second shell. comprising at least two ramp surfaces each comprising a portion inclined with respect to the locking direction, the other one of the drawer or the second shell comprising at least two latching pins each arranged to slide each along one of the ramp surfaces as the drawer slides.

Preferably, the angle between the locking direction and an inclined portion of a ramp surface is between 2 ° and 20 °, and preferably between 5 ° and 15 °.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the guide portion of the slide is disposed outside the first shell, is preferably encircling the outside of the first shell. Preferably, the attachment portion carries the ramp surfaces or pins, axially passes through the first shell from the guide portion. Advantageously, the ramp surfaces or the pins of the hooking portion are inside the first shell.

Guiding portion means a portion comprising means for guiding the drawer during a translational movement in the locking direction.

Preferably, the pins protrude from the second shell or protrude from the ramp element in a direction perpendicular to the locking direction.

Advantageously, the first shell and the second shell are provided with complementary bearing surfaces capable of limiting the movement of the first shell relative to the second shell in the direction of locking.

Preferably, the ramp surfaces comprise a retention portion comprising at least one portion of locking bearing surface perpendicular to the direction of docking, and comprise an insertion portion capable of guiding the pins substantially parallel to the direction. docking. According to an advantageous embodiment, the drawer comprises two attachment portions each comprising a hooking plate, the guide surfaces of the ramp each forming part of a contour of a notch cut in the thickness of one of the plates.

The inclined portion of the ramp surface is preferably disposed between the insertion portion and the retention portion of each ramp surface.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the first shell is provided with at least one elastic retaining lug adapted to hold the drawer in the locked position.

The drawer may for example comprise a guide portion comprising a ring surrounding a portion of the first shell, and the resilient lug, in the locked position of the slide, may bear against the outside of the ring. The first shell may comprise a guide shoulder of the spool interposed axially between the guide portion of the spool and the second shell, the retaining lug being integral with the shoulder. The position of the shoulder between the guiding position and the second shell is of course in the configuration where the two shells are in contact with each other to connect their respective bundles of cables. According to a preferred embodiment, the lug comprises a lug extending in the locking direction, from the shoulder to a central portion of the first shell. For this, the first shell comprises a cutter separating locally the lug of the central portion of the shell.

According to an alternative embodiment that can be combined with the previous one, an elastic lug, in the locked position of the drawer, can bear against the inside of the ring.

For example, the first shell comprises a guide shoulder interposed axially between the guide portion of the spool and the second shell, and an elastic lug of the first shell comprises a tab extending in the locking direction, and situated axially at a distance shoulder, the tab comprising a bearing zone adapted to bear against an inner face of the ring. The tab is then located on the axial side of the ring opposite the shoulder, the tab comprising an end zone adapted to bear against an inner face of the ring. On the inside of the ring is meant a face facing the axis of the ring.

Preferably, the tab comprises a release portion axially protruding from the ring in the locked position of the slide, and for manually bending the tab to axially out the bearing zone of the ring.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first subassembly of connection comprises two flanges each carrying at least one guide relief, the two flanges being adapted to be secured to two lateral faces of the first shell substantially parallel to the direction of docking, inserting an end of the guide relief in a housing of the first shell whose position interferes axially with the guide portion of the drawer. Thus, the guiding relief can help maintain a spacing necessary for sliding the drawer. According to a preferred embodiment, the slide comprises a guide portion pierced with guide slots extending parallel to the locking direction, and the assembly comprises two flanges each carrying at least two guide pins, the two flanges being suitable to be secured to the first shell so as to insert the guide pins in the guide slots while allowing a movement of the slide in the direction of locking. The two flanges may for example dock the two faces of the first shell by guide pins and a complementary flat surface of a portion of the side faces. According to a preferred embodiment, the flanges may be glued or welded to the first shell at this complementary flat surface. According to other embodiments, the centering pins puddles may be provided with reliefs for clipping the flanges on the first shell.

Preferably, at least one spring is interposed between the slide and the guide flange, or between the slide and the first shell, so as to exert a force parallel to the locking direction. Preferably, the restoring force of the spring is oriented so as to return the slide to the open position if no force greater than that of the spring is applied in the locking direction.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second shell comprises at least two attachment harpons each carried by an elastically flexible tab and oriented substantially in the direction of docking, each harpoon having a substantially smooth face oriented towards a central axis of the hull , and an attachment face facing outwardly of the hull, and provided with retention surfaces substantially perpendicular to the direction of docking.

Advantageously, the second connection subassembly furthermore comprises at least two play-catching lugs positioned so as to be able to exert an elastic support force in the direction of landing on a plane obstacle situated substantially at the same axial position as the retention surfaces of the harpoons. In other words, the play catch tabs are able to exert a resilient bearing force away from the second shell of a support plate into which the second shell is inserted, a support plate portion being then resting on the retention surfaces of the harpoons.

The play catch tabs may be metal, and be arranged radially outside the flexible tabs harpoons. They may each be part of a one-piece metal part also comprising a unclipping tab extending, at least in part, perpendicularly to a leg of a harpoon, so as to exert a bending force on said harpoon in its direction clearance.

Advantageously, the harpoon is integral with the second shell, the shell is also integral with a release tab extending substantially parallel to the harpoon leg, and the one-piece metal piece is inserted between the unclip tab and the harpoon leg, so as to be held by the effect of an elastic compression of the unclipping tab between the unclip tab and the harpoon tab

Preferably, the clearance lug and the unclip tab are secured by a common base, the base being axially supported on the second shell, and the uncliping lug having a portion of unclipping end-to-end between the tongue of unclipping and the harpoon's paw.

The two tabs can form on the side of the base, a "V" metal, one branch is supported on the harpoon leg, and the other leg is supported on the tab unclipping.

The second shell can be coated at least partly with a conductive metal coating, the metal coating extending in particular under the base of the play catch tab and / or on contact areas of the metal part with the harpoon lug and / or the unclip tab.

According to a preferred embodiment, the second shell comprises a locking portion carrying the locking means, and comprises a centering portion located behind the locking portion relative to the first shell, the centering portion having a thickness, in the direction perpendicular to the locking direction, at least equal to the extent along the same axis of the locking means. Preferably, the first shell has a thickness, along the same axis, greater than the thickness of the centering portion of the second shell.

Advantageously, the centering portion of the second shell comprises at least a portion located behind the retaining surfaces of the harpoons. Back here refers to the second hull in the direction of removal relative to the first hull According to an advantageous embodiment, the first hull comprises at least a bearing portion that fits between the harpoons when the two shells are in the locking position of the first locking element with the second locking element, so as to limit the bending stroke of the harpoons to a value less than the release stroke of the harpoons. Per harpoon clearance means a bending value causing the harpoon retention surface from a first unstressed position of the harpoon to a position where the surface ceases, in projection along the berthing axis, to overlap at least partly in its first position.

By "behind an element relative to the first hull" is meant "further from the first hull than the element" in the direction of docking.

• la figure 1 est une vue d'ensemble d'un connecteur selon l'invention, assemblé de part et d'autre d'une paroi support ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un premier sous-ensemble appartenant à une première partie du connecteur de là figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'éléments de la première partie de connecteur illustrée à la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de face d'une seconde partie du connecteur de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective du connecteur de la figure 1 assemblé en l'absence de paroi support, cette figure permettant de visualiser les positions relatives de certains éléments.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description given solely by way of nonlimiting example, and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 is an overview of a connector according to the invention, assembled on either side of a support wall;
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of a first subset belonging to a first part of the connector from there figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a perspective view of elements of the first connector portion illustrated in FIG. figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 is a front view of a second part of the connector of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of the connector of the figure 1 assembled in the absence of a support wall, this figure for displaying the relative positions of certain elements.

In the explanations that follow, up / down means with respect to the illustrated figures. In addition, the term "before" a subset of connection, the portion of this subset that is closest to the other subset of connection, and "back" of the subset of connection , the portion that is farthest from the other connection subassembly (and which is therefore on the side of the cable harnesses arriving on this connection subassembly).

As illustrated on the figure 1 a connection assembly 3 assembled on either side of a support wall 29 comprises a first connection subassembly 51 comprising a first connection shell 1 capable of surrounding the ends of a first group of cable bundles 4 , and comprises a second connection subassembly 52 comprising a second connection shell 2 adapted to surround the ends of a second group of cable bundles 5.

The bundles of cables 4 and 5 meet within the connection assembly 3, by the interlocking of two groups of central blocks (not visible in the figures). A group of central blocks is contained within each of the two shells. The central blocks of one of the hulls are provided with connection plugs, and the central blocks of the other hull are provided with complementary female connections of the plugs.

On the figure 1 , the connection assembly 3 is shown in the locked position: the first shell and the second shell are nested in one another in such a way that the first bundles of cables 4 and the second bundles of cables 5 are connected at the level of the central blocks (not visible in the figure).

In the remainder of the description, reference is made to axial direction, or docking direction. x , the direction in which the two connecting shells must be moved to be inserted into one another. The management of x positive is here chosen oriented from the second connection shell 2 to the first connection shell 1.

The first connection shell comprises a drawer 7 mobile in one direction there which is designated in the following text by locking direction. The first axial direction x and lock direction there can be completed by a third direction z perpendicular to the first two.

The drawer 7 is partially masked by flanges 22 of the first subassembly of connection 51, integral with the first shell 1.

The drawer 7, in the locking position illustrated in figure 1 , is blocked moving in the direction of lock there by a first elastic lug 15 and by a second elastic lug 16 in one piece with the first shell 1.
The slide 7 can slide relative to the first connection shell 1, along a shoulder of the guide 17 formed on the first shell 1. This shoulder 17 extends parallel to the direction there locking.

The second connection subassembly 52 comprises a second connection shell 2, assembled on the support plate 29 by means of monoblock harpoons with the second connection shell 2. The second connection subassembly 52 also comprises tabs catch-up metal 35, and lugs 36 forming part of the same metal part, and which are braced between a lug 31 of the harpoon and a declutching tab 38 substantially parallel to the lug 31 of the harpoon.

The locked position of the connection assembly 3 is obtained by the insertion of attachment pegs 6 - arranged on a outer surface of the second shell 2 and visible on the figure 4 -, inside stop housing 12 of the drawer 7 -visible on the figure 3- adapted to receive the pins, and formed at the end of notches 8 cut in the thickness of side plates 7a and 7b of the drawer 7, and visible for example in figure 3 . The side plates 7a and 7b thus constitute a locking portion 14 of the drawer 7.

The figure 2 illustrates in perspective a part of the first connection sub-assembly 51, in particular the first connection shell 1 and the drawer 7. The central blocks and the cable bundles 4 have not been represented on the figure 2 .

We find on the figure 2 elements common to the figure 1 , the same elements being designated by the same references. The first connecting shell 1, has outer walls 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d extending in the direction of docking x and integral with a central frame 1e, inside which are provided housing 53 intended central blocks (not shown) and housings 54 for keying (not shown). The contour formed by the outer walls 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d is substantially rectangular if viewed in projection parallel to the direction of docking x , the long sides of the rectangle being aligned with the locking direction there and the small side being aligned with the perpendicular direction z .

The first connection shell opens, on the side of x positive, on a rectangular opening through which the bundles of cables 4 (visible on the figure 1 ), and on the x negative, on another rectangular opening 10 (not visible on the figure 2 but that we glimpse on the figure 5 ) and inside which is inserted an end 11 of the second connection shell 2.

The first connecting shell 1 thus comprises a rectangular female end 10, complementary to a rectangular male end 11 of the second connection shell, which can be seen in FIG. figure 5 , and that we distinguish more clearly on the figure 4 .

Returning to figure 2 , the female rectangular end 10 of the first shell has two parallel faces 110, limiting the rectangular end of the side of the there positive and on the side of there negative. The two faces 110 prevent in particular a relative displacement of the first connection shell relative to the second connection shell in the direction there when the rectangular ends 10 and 11 are nested one inside the other.

The slide 7 has a guide portion 13 forming an axle ring x substantially rectangular and surrounding the first shell 1 near the shoulder 17, touching or being in the immediate vicinity of the two outer walls 1a, 1b extending parallel to the locking direction there . The guide portion 13 of the slide is extended axially by two lateral plates 7a and 7b, not visible on the, figure 2 but visible on the figure 3 , extending parallel to the locking direction there , and which are inserted in axial slots (not visible in the figures) of the first connection shell 1, so as to open inside the first connection shell. By "inside the first connection shell" is meant, within a space encircled by the first connecting shell.

The slots in which the side plates 7a and 7b are inserted have a length of there greater than the length of the side plates, so as to allow the drawer 7 to move in the locking direction there .

The first connecting shell 1 thus serves as an axial support for the guiding portion 13 which encircles it, and serves as a radial support for the two lateral plates 7a and 7b which are able to slide along the inside of the first connection shell following the locking direction there . The guide portion 13 of the drawer is also in radial support, perpendicular to the locking direction there , on the outer walls 1a, 1b of the first shell.

In the assembled configuration of the figure 1 two symmetrical portions of the guide portion 13 of the drawer are hidden by two flanges 22 which are assembled on either side of the first shell 1, on the outer walls 1a, 1b of the first shell, so as to provide a passage between the flange and the first shell. Each passage thus reserved serves as a guide rail for one side of the portion 13 for guiding the drawer.

It is possible to envisage variant embodiments in which the guiding of the drawer parallels the axis there is ensured only by the axial slots, or is ensured only by guide faces 1a, 1b of the first shell belted by the guide portion.

The guide shoulder 17 comprises four portions parallel to each other 17a, 17b, 17c, and 17d (hidden on the figure 2 ) distributed in the same plane around a central geometric axis O x of the first shell 1. The portions 17a and 17b are part of the same arch 61 of material extending in the direction there from the first hull. The extent of the arch is here such that the arch overflows the drawer 7 in the direction there regardless of the position of the drawer. Similarly, the portions 17c and 17d are part of the same arch 62 of material extending in the direction there from the first shell 1, and overflowing the drawer 7 in the direction there . Embodiments may be envisaged in which the drawer may protrude from the shoulder 17 for at least one of the end-of-travel positions of the drawer, that is to say when the drawer is in abutment according to the there positive, or when it is stopped according to the there negative.

As visible on the figure 2 , the portion 13 of the slide guide is here essentially defined by a cylindrical portion (in the broad sense) extruded from a substantially rectangular contour, so as to encircle a portion of the first shell also of rectangular radial section. It is possible to envisage variant embodiments on which the guide portion 13, instead of having a rectangular radial section, would have, for example, an oval radial section, the contour of the guide portion being rounded at the two ends of the drawer, it is that is to say at the ends not leaning on the guide faces 1a and 1b of the shell. The rectangular shape illustrated on the embodiment of the figure 2 however allows to limit the total size of the connection assembly 3 according to the locking direction there

The figure 2 illustrates the drawer 7 in a position corresponding to its maximum stroke towards the there positive, which, as will be seen later, corresponds to a locking configuration of the connection assembly 3.

The drawer 7 is held in this locked position by the first elastic lug 15, which comprises an elastic tongue 65 attached to the shoulder 17 by an elastic hinge 63, the tongue being stiffened by a central reinforcement 64 perpendicular to the hinge. More specifically, the elastic tongue is attached to a central portion of one of the arches 61 of the guide shoulder 17, and is movable about a hinge parallel to the axis. z .

The second elastic lug 16 is inserted from the rear of the first shell 1 (that is to say, from the axial side where the cables arrive on the shell) inside the ring 13 forming the guide portion of the slide 7. The lug 16 being attached radially to the shell 1, the radial length of the slang 16 thus imposes a minimum distance between the end of the slide 7 thus locked, and the outside of the first shell .

The figure 3 illustrates the drawer 7 separated from the first connection subassembly 51. We find on the figure 3 the drawer 7 and one of the flanges 22. A return spring 26 is arranged to be in compression between the slide 7 and the flange 22. A second return spring, not shown in the figure, is disposed between the drawer and the second flange, symmetrically with respect to the first spring.

The compression spring 26 is held on the drawer 7 by a holding tab 27 integrated in the drawer and oriented parallel to the locking direction there . The other end of the compression spring 26 is inserted into a guide channel 28 formed on the surface of the flange 22.

The bearing surfaces of the spring 26 on the spool 7 and on the flange 22 are arranged in such a way that the elastic force of the spring tends to bring the spool 7 to the left of the spool. figure 3 , what corresponds, as detailed below, to an unlocked configuration of the connection assembly 3.

As can be seen on the figures 1 and 3 each flange 22 comprises a plate parallel to the locking direction there , covering a central portion of one of the faces of the guide portion 13 of the spool 7. This plate protrudes axially on both sides of the guide portion 13. It is assembled with the first shell 1, on the one hand by pieces assembly 24 arranged below the locking portion 13, and secondly by a bonding flange 25 along the edge of the guide portion 13 axially opposite the shoulder 17. The ends of the assembly pins 24 are s insert in housings 23a formed on the outer surface of the first shell, visible on the figure 2 . The thickness of the bonding flange 25 and the length of the assembly pins 24 are chosen so that the flange 22 can be assembled on the first shell 1 by providing the thickness necessary for the displacement of the guide portion 13.

As can be seen on the figure 3 , the guide ring 13 of the slide, between the side plates 7a and 7b, has a lower radial surface 20 (that is to say a surface disposed axially on the same side as the side plates 7a and 7b). The lower radial surface 20 serves both as a first guide surface and an axial abutment with respect to the shoulder 17 of the first shell. The bearing shoulder 17 of the first shell comprises at least one portion adapted to bear axially with this guide surface 20 of the slide 7.

The guide portion 13 is pierced with guide slots 21 arranged substantially at mid-height (with respect to the axis x ) of the ring, these slots being oriented parallel to the locking direction there .

Guide reliefs of the flange 22, here in the form of pins 23, are inserted inside the slots 21. These pins 23 pass through the thickness of the guide portion 13 to bear inside the housing (no visible in the figures) similar to 23a housings, and formed on the outer surface of the first shell 1. In the illustrated embodiment, these pins are six in each flange.

The ends of these guide reliefs may for example be glued inside the housing 23a. The guide reliefs then help to secure the flange 22 with the first shell 1. They can also be supported only inside the housing dedicated to them. They can also be assembled by other methods such as welding, vibration or ultrasound.

These reliefs or guide pins 23 improve the guiding of the slide 7 in the locking direction there . The presence of these pins 23 also makes it possible to avoid pressure along the axis z flanges 22 on the guide portion 13 of the slide 7, which pressure could generate frictional forces detrimental to the good mobility of the drawer. Such a pressure could be due, for example, to residual stresses in the manufacture of the flanges 22, which would then not be perfectly flat, or could be due to a pressure exerted by the operator carrying out the assembly of the connection assembly 3. perform the assembly, the operator has indeed enter the first subset of connection in the direction of its thickness, in order to be able to operate the drawer 7 in the direction of locking there .

In the lower part, that is to say on the opposite side to the guide portion 13, each of the side plates 7a or 7b of the drawer 7 comprises two notches 8 arranged so as to be able to insert, for at least one position of the drawer 7, the two attachment pegs 6 of the second shell 2. Each of these notches or ramps 8 comprises an insertion portion 108 substantially parallel to the docking axis x ; an inclined portion 18 whose angle α with respect to the locking direction there is between 2 ° and 20 °, and preferably is between 5 ° and 15 °.

At the end of the inclined portion 18 opposite the insertion portion 108, each ramp comprises a stop housing 12 which is a portion of the notch 8 substantially parallel to the locking direction there . The stop housing 12 comprises a portion of locking bearing surface 112 substantially perpendicular to the direction of docking x . This bearing surface 112 is preferably separated from the inclined portion 18 by a recess or collar 112a connecting the bearing surface 112 and a surface of the inclined portion 18. The collar 112a is axially further from the insertion portion 108 that the bearing surface 112.

At the inside and at each end of the guide portion 13, a groove 42a is noted parallel to the berthing axis x .

This groove 42a is complementary to a bearing portion 42 having the shape of a cylindrical bulge of the surface of the first shell 1. This bearing portion 42 is visible for example on the figure 5 .

At one end of the guide portion 13 -the end adjacent the first elastic lug 15-, the groove 42a is interrupted by a cutout 15a allowing the central reinforcement 64 to pass through the elastic lug 15.

The figure 4 illustrates the second subset of connection 52. We find on the figure 4 elements common to the figure 1 , the same elements being designated by the same references. The second connection subassembly is intended to be assembled on the support plate 29 before being secured to the first connection subassembly 51. This second subassembly 52 thus represents a base portion which is caused to be disassembled less often. of the support plate 29 as the first subset of connection. This second subassembly 52 can be considered as a female plug, since during the assembly of the two connection subassemblies, a locking portion 40 of the second shell 2 is housed inside a rectangular female end 10 of the first visible shell, for example on the figure 5 .

We find on the figure 4 the second connection shell 2, partially visible on the figure 1 . The second connection shell 2 has, like the first connection shell 1, an outer contour globally defined by a portion "extruded" (in the geometric sense) substantially rectangular. The second connection shell 2 comprises a locking portion 40 adapted to be inserted into the end 10 of the first connection shell. This locking portion 40 is provided on its two longer sides, parallel to the locking direction, latching pins 6 adapted to be grasped by the notches-ramps 8 of the first connection sub-assembly 51.

The width along the axis z of the locking portion 40 thus corresponds to the space available between the two side plates 7a and 7b of the drawer 7.

The locking portion 40 continues towards the rear of the second connection subassembly 52 by a centering portion 41 of the second shell 2, whose width corresponds substantially to the width along the axis z the orifice formed in the support plate 29 for receiving the connection assembly 3.

In these conditions, the width along the axis z of the centering portion 41 is therefore greater than or equal to the width along the same axis z snap pins 6.

The back of the second connection shell 2 may then be wider than or less than the width along the axis z from the orifice of there support plate 29. For reasons of space, this width is here slightly less than that of the centering portion 41, as visible for example on the figure 5 .

At each of its ends limiting the second shell in the direction of locking there the second hull 2 is provided with a hook harpoon 30 extending in the direction of berthing x and adapted to catch on the edge of a cut, for example rectangular, formed in the support plate 29. Each harpoon 30 has a flexible tab 31 in the form of a flat strip extending along the axis x , has a smooth face extending in the extension of the tab 31, and has a fastening face 33 facing outwardly of the shell 2. The attachment face 33 comprises a hooking relief with a retaining surface 34 of the harpoon, substantially perpendicular to the direction of docking x .

The spacing following the direction there between the two smooth faces 32 of the two harpo 30 corresponds substantially to the extent of the first shell 1 according to the direction there between the two support portions 42.

The support portions 42 and the harpoons 30 are substantially centered with respect to the direction z respectively relative to the first and the second shells. Thus, when the locking portion 40 of the first shell engages between the side plates of the drawer 7a and 7b, the support portions 42 are inserted between the harpoons 30, preventing bending of the harpoons in the direction of unlocking them.

A slight clearance can remain between each support portion 42 and the smooth face 32 of the harpoon facing it, but this clearance is preferably smaller than the extent, in the locking direction there surfaces 34 of retention of the harpoon.

Thus, when the second connection shell is inserted into the first connection shell, it is no longer possible to separate the second connection shell from the support plate 29.

This arrangement is for example visible on the figure 5 , where the support plate 29 has not been shown to facilitate the vision of the first and second shells.

As illustrated on the figure 4 , the second shell 2 comprises two lateral platforms 55 extending in the locking direction there on both sides of the hull 2. It is from these lateral platforms 55, which are monoblock with the second hull 2, that extend the harpoons 30 also monoblocs with the hull 2.

Parallel to the harpoons 30, unclip tabs 38 extend substantially parallel to the lugs 31 of the harpoons 30, also from the side platform.

The unclip tabs 38 are placed radially outside the harpo 30. The plane of each unclip tab 38 is oriented so that the tongue can be flexed by direction of the harpoon 30 neighbor. Between the harpoon 30 and the unclip tab 38 is disposed a one-piece metal piece 37, which in the illustrated embodiment is a cut-bent piece from a portion of elastic steel sheet. The one-piece metal piece 37 comprises a base 39 from which extend two lugs serving, for a first lug 35, play catch tab, and for a second lug 36, tab declutching. The base 39 of the metal part 37 is in abutment against the lateral platform 55. The unclipping tab 36 extends from the platform 55 towards the end of the unclip tab 38, and is supported by a bent zone 36a on the unclip tab. The unclamping tab 36 extends beyond the bent zone 36a towards an end 36b that arrives perpendicularly on the flexible tab 31 of the harpoon 30.

Thus, a pressure exerted on the unclamping tab 38 makes it possible to transmit a force on the flexible tab 31 tending to release the harpoon 30 from the edge of the plate 29 to which it can be hooked.

It will be noted that exerting the force of release of the harpoons by means of the unclipping tab 36, the bending force exerted on the flexible tab 31 is applied with a predefined lever, which would not be the case. if this effort was exerted by the central part of the finger of an operator, pressing directly on the flexible legs 31.

The play catch tab 35 extends from the base 39 towards the first shell, has a bent zone 37a resting on the flexible tab 31 of the harpoon, and extends beyond the bent zone 37a towards one end rounded by a fallen edge 35b.

The end 35b of the clearance lug is substantially at the same axial position as the retaining surface 34 of the harpoon. According to the variant embodiments, this end may be slightly beyond the retention surface of the harpoon 34 in the direction of the x positive, to increase the elastic force exerted by the paw, or may instead be set back from the retention surface 34 if the connection assembly 3 is intended to be assembled on a thick support plate 29.

When the harpoons 30 are engaged against the edges of an orifice of the support plate 29, the play catching lug 35 is thus braced by an elastic return force between the platform 55 and the support plate 29.

Adjoining the declutching tab 38, a hood 60, in the form of a dihedral connected to the platform 55 and surrounding the play compensating lug 35, protects the play compensating lug 35. This cover avoids, for example, the metal piece 37 being inadvertently hooked to an external element during the handling of the connection subassembly 2.

The axial length of the hood 60, and its proximity - following the locking direction there - With respect to the catch tab 35, are chosen so that the play catch tab 35, beyond a certain bending level of its end portion, comes into axial abutment against the hood 60 This avoids inadvertent plastic deformation of the play catch tab.

The first and the second shell 1 and 2 are preferably made of thermoplastic material, having the elastic or elastoplastic deformation properties making it possible to obtain the deformable zones such as the lugs 31 of the harpoons, the unclipping tab 38, or else the hinges resilient lugs 15 and 16 for retaining the drawer 7.

The drawer itself can be made of plastic. However, it is possible to envisage variant embodiments with a metal drawer made of folded cut sheet metal.

The metal part 37 can make it possible to establish an electrical contact between the support plate 29 and the platform 55 of the second shell on which it is supported. The platform 55 may itself be in electrical contact with an outer conductive reinforcement of the bundles of cables arriving at the second shell. An electrical conductivity of the second shell 2 can be obtained for example by means of a metal surface deposition by known techniques, such as vacuum deposition, plasma deposition or vapor deposition.

As can be seen on the figures 1 and 4 , the second shell 2 has, at the rear of the side platforms 55, an axial rib 58 extending along an axial portion of the second shell. This axial rib 58 is laterally bordered by clipping zones 57 able to accommodate harpoons or retention hooks of a cowl piece (not shown), which can thus be secured to the second shell by the rear of the latter. this. This part of the cover can allow for example to maintain and isolate the cable bundles 5 arriving in the second shell 2.

Similarly, the first shell 1 has on its rear portion, in the extension of the cylindrical bearing portions 42, and perpendicular thereto, clipping zones 56 for assembling a second piece of cover (not shown) from behind the first hull.

The implementation of the connector can for example be performed as follows.

We start from a state where the first subset of connection 51 is already assembled with the first bundles of cables 4, secured to the first shell by the central blocks (not shown) and by a rear cover part (not shown), and where the second subset of connection is also already preassembled with the second cable bundles 5.

The second connection subassembly 52, which is the base plug, is brought to the vicinity of the support plate 29, and the centering portion 41 of the second shell is introduced into the orifice of the plate. 29 support provided for this purpose.

The second connection subassembly is axially advanced inside the orifice until the catch harpoons 30 are clipped on the edges of the orifice.

The second shell 2 is then released. The elastic force of the catch-up lugs 35 then exerts a force tending to push back the second connection subassembly, and tending to maintain the retention surfaces 34 of the harpoon supported against the edge of the support plate 29.

The second connection subassembly is thus secured to the support plate 29. It can be slightly displaced in the deformation limits of the catch tab 35, for example until the end of the catch tab 35 comes. resting against the upper part of the hood 60.

The first connection subassembly is then brought to insert the female end 10 around the male locking portion 40 of the second locking subassembly. For this purpose, the slide 7 is placed in the unlocked position, that is to say in the corresponding position, on the figure 3 , at a position of the drawer which is to the left of the figure.

In this position, the insertion portion 108 of the ramp 8 is opposite the pin 6 of the second connection subassembly. The operator exerts a moderate pressure on the first shell to bring the pins 6 to the beginning of the inclined portion 18 of the notch 8.

The operator then exerts pressure on the end of the slide 7 in the locking direction there , so as to slide the pins 6 of the second shell, along the inclined portion 18 of the ramp 8 of the first subassembly connection, to the stop housing 12 of the notch 8.

The force thus exerted by the operator along the locking direction is thus transmitted by the ramp 8 and transformed into the traction force of the first connection subassembly on the second connection subassembly. This effort makes it possible in particular to counteract the friction forces opposing the insertion of the central block plugs of one of the shells inside the female connections of the central blocks of the other shell.

Once the drawer 7 has passed the locking position where it can be blocked by the first and the second elastic lug 15 and 16, the drawer 7 remains locked in a position relative to the axis there no longer authorizing the release of the pins 6. At the same time, the support portion 42 of the first shell is inserted between the harpoons 30 of the second shell, thus preventing unclipping of the second subset of connection with the support plate 29.

In order to detach the first connection subassembly from the base and from the support plate 29, in the direction of docking, the first elastic lug 15 is pressed, and a bending force is exerted simultaneously on the lug 19 of the lug 16. The two elastic return springs 26 then help to bring the drawer 7 to an unlocked position, where the pins 6 are found at the inclined portion 18 of the notches 8, or are found at the level insertion portions 108 of these notches.

The first subset of connection can thus be disengaged from the second subset of connection. From this moment on, it becomes possible again, if it is also desired to disassemble the second connection subassembly, to exert a pressure on the unclip tabs 38 in order to disengage the harpoons 30 from the edges of the orifice of the support plate 29.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described, and can be declined in many variants. It is possible to use the ramp drawer system to assemble a first connection subassembly to another connection subassembly that does not include harpoons, for example to assemble it to a connection subassembly secured by a screw-nut system with the support plate.

It is possible to use independently the harpoon clipping system coupled to a play adjustment lug. This attachment system may or may not be coupled to an unclip tab, and may be used with subsets of connection s' hanging on one another by a system other than the drawer system. The two subsets of connection can for example be secured using quarter-turn screws.

It is possible to use the joining and assistance system for the ramp drawer connection for "floating" connection assemblies that are not intended to be assembled on either side of a support plate.

It is possible to envisage a simplified version of the first connection subassembly, where the lateral sides of the drawers are not protected by flanges, the guidance being done solely by means of reliefs of the first shell.

One can be satisfied with only one elastic lug 15 or 16 of retention of the drawer 7. The lock in the locked position of the drawer 7 could also be done by elastic lugs arranged on the sides along which the drawer slides, in a version not not including the flanges 22. It can then provide lugs formed on the face of the first shell, coming snap into cuts of the guide portion 13 sliding along the walls of the first shell.

We can consider a retention lug 16 without tab 19 protruding from the drawer 7, the device then being more compact, but the unlocking of the drawer requiring a specific tool.

The shoulder 17 can be limited to a shoulder formed along the faces of the first shell along which the slide 7 slides, without extending this shoulder in the locking direction. there as in the illustrated examples.

It is conceivable not to fair the play catch tab by the cover 60. The first and second shells may have no clipping area 56 and / or 57 additional piece. Hanging pegs could be arranged on the drawer 7 and ramp portions on the locking portion of the second shell 40.

The connection assembly according to the invention allows a quick and tool-less assembly of the first base assembly on the support plate in a first step, and a plug part on the base in a second step, of which the insertion into the base piece is facilitated by the connection assistance ramp system. The connection set is compatible with different plate thicknesses. The connection assistance avoids deforming the support plate and / or disconnecting the base part when connecting the plug.

Claims (15)

1. Connection assembly (3) for connecting cables, comprising a first connection subassembly (51) comprising a first connection shell (1) capable of surrounding the end of at least one first bundle of cables (4) arriving in a direction of attachment ( x ), and a second connection subassembly (52) comprising a second connection shell (2) capable of surrounding the end of at least one second bundle of cables (5), the second shell being able to be assembled in an orifice of a support plate independently of the first shell, the first shell (1) being able to be brought towards the second shell (2) and the second bundle of cables immobilized in an orifice of a support plate until it comes to bear upon the second shell (2) so as to be facing the first (4) and the second (5) bundles of cables, the first (51) and the second (52) connection subassemblies respectively comprising at least one first (12) and one second (6) locking elements complementing one another, and comprising guiding means (8) capable of guiding the two locking elements relative to one another so as to bring them from a non-locked position to a locked position of the connection assembly (3), in which the assembly comprises a ramp device, comprising a slide (7), the slide being able to slide relative to the second shell (2) and relative to the first shell (1), in a locking direction ( y ) substantially at right angles to the attachment direction ( x ), and capable of transmitting, in such a movement, a locking force making it possible to bring together the two shells (1, 2) in the axial direction (x) until their axial distance corresponds to the locked position of the connection assembly, characterized in that the slide (7) comprises a guiding portion (13), which, at the time of the locking operation, slides by pressing axially on a shoulder (17) of the first shell oriented outwards from the first shell, and comprises an attachment portion (14) passing axially through the first shell from the guiding portion.
2. Connection assembly according to Claim 1, in which one of the elements out of the slide (7) or the second shell (2) comprises at least two ramp surfaces each comprising an inclined portion (18) relative to the locking direction ( y ), the other element out of the slide or the second shell comprising at least two attachment pins (6) each arranged so as to be able to each slide along one of the ramp surfaces when the slide (7) slides.
3. Connection assembly according to Claim 2, in which the angle (α) between the locking direction ( y ) and an inclined portion (18) of a ramp surface lies between 2° and 20°, and preferably lies between 5° and 15°.
4. Connection assembly according to Claims 2 or 3, in which the guiding portion (13) of the slide encircles the outside of the first shell (1), and the attachment portion (14) of the slide, bearing the ramp surfaces or the pins, passes axially through the first shell (1) from the guiding portion (13), so that the ramp surfaces or the pins of the attachment portion are inside the first shell.
5. Connection assembly according to one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the ramp surfaces comprise a retention portion (12) comprising at least one bearing surface portion (112) at right angles to the attachment direction ( x ), comprising an insertion portion (108) capable of guiding the pins (6) substantially parallel to the attachment direction ( x ) and comprise at least one ramp surface portion (18) inclined relative to the attachment direction, arranged between the insertion portion (108) and retention portion (12) of each ramp surface.
6. Connection assembly according to one of Claims 2 to 5, in which the first shell (1) is provided with at least one elastic retention lug (15, 16) capable of keeping the slide (7) in the locked position.
7. Connection assembly according to Claim 6, in which the slide (7) comprises a guiding portion (13) comprising a ring banding a portion of the first shell. (1), and in which the elastic lug (15), in the locked position of the slide (7), comes to bear on the outside of the ring (13), the first shell (1) comprising a guiding shoulder (17) interposed axially between the guiding portion (13) of the slide and the second shell (2), and the retention lug (15) being of a piece with the shoulder (17).
8. Connection assembly according to Claim 6, in which the guiding portion (13) of the slide (7) comprises a ring banding a portion of the first shell (1), and in which the first shell comprises an elastic lug (16), configured to come to bear on the inside of the ring (13) so as to keep the slide (7) in the locked position, the elastic lug (16) comprising a tab extending in the locking direction ( y ) and situated axially at a distance from the shoulder (17), the tab comprising a bearing zone capable of coming to bear against an internal face of the ring to keep the slide (7) in the locked position.
9. Connection assembly according to one of the preceding claims, in which the second shell (2) comprises at least two catches (30) for attachment to a support plate, each borne by an elastically flexible tab (31) oriented substantially in the attachment direction ( x ), each catch (30) having a substantially smooth face (32) oriented towards a central axis of the shell, and an attachment face (33) oriented towards the outside of the shell (2), and provided with retention surfaces (34) substantially at right angles to the attachment direction ( x )
10. Connection assembly according to Claim 9, in which the second connection subassembly (52) further comprises at least two play take-up tabs (35), placed so as to be able to exert an elastic bearing force separating the second shell from the support plate, over a portion of support plate (29) located substantially in the same axial position as the retention surfaces (34) of the catches (30).
11. Connection assembly according to Claim 10, in which the play take-up tabs (35) are metallic, arranged radially outside the flexible tabs (31) of the catches, and each form part of a one-piece metal part (37) also comprising a release tab (36) extending, at least partly, at right angles to a tab (31) of a catch (30), so as to be able to exert a bending force on said catch in its direction of disengagement.
12. Connection assembly according to Claim 11, in which the catch (30) is of a piece with the shell (2), the shell is also of a piece with a release tongue (38) extending substantially parallel to the tab of the catch (31), and the one-piece metal part (37) is inserted between the release tongue (38) and the tab (31) of the catch, so as to be held by the effect of an elastic compression of the release tab (36) between the release tongue (38) and the tab (31) of the catch.
13. Connection assembly according to Claim 12, in which the play take-up tab (35) and the release tab (36) are secured by a common base (39), the base bearing axially on the second shell (2), and the release tab (36) comprising a release portion buttressed between the release tongue (38) and the tab of the catch (31).
14. Connection assembly according to Claim 13, in which the two tabs (35, 36) form, alongside the base, a metal "V" of which one branch bears on the tab (31) of the catch, and of which the other branch bears on the release tongue (38).
15. Connection assembly according to Claims 9 to 14, in which the first shell (1) comprises at least one bearing portion (42) that comes to be inserted between the catches (30) when the two shells (1, 2) are in the locking position of the first locking element (12) with the second locking element (6), so as to limit the bending travel of the catches (30) to a value less than the release travel of the catches.

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